Southern California -- this just in

Huntington Beach may share costs with Costa Mesa, Newport Beach

August 3, 2011 | 8:32
am

The Huntington Beach City Council voted Monday to commission a study to share services with Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, with some members saying the need for money overcame their reservations about Costa Mesa's politics.

The council voted 5 to 2, with Connie Boardman and Joe Shaw opposing. Councilman Devin Dwyer said it was important during tough economic times for cities to think regionally in terms of saving money.

"I don't believe this endorses what Costa Mesa is doing," he said. "We're just looking for their money."

Costa Mesa's council recently voted to lay off about half of its employees and research whether to outsource their jobs. The move generated heated responses from employees and residents, and a judge ruled that the city may not outsource its jobs to private agencies until after a lawsuit on the matter is heard, according to the Huntington Beach Independent.

Boardman said the recent turmoil in Costa Mesa made her wary of partnering with the city.

"They propose to lay off half their staff, but then they hire a PR person at $3,000 a week," she said.

However, colleague Don Hansen said Huntington Beach should not concern itself with other cities' politics, a view that others on the dais seconded.

"Let's not create some segregated group of cities that we will work with while demonizing or marginalizing those we won't," he said.